Proud of their past, denotified tribes toil to overcome stigma
On August 31, 1952, the government removed the humiliating tag of criminals given by the British to certain nomadic tribes.
Though it has been 65 years since, the tribes still face discrimination and are hounded by the police due to their historical association with traditions such as prostitution and petty crime.
However, despite all odds, there are some tribals who have broken the shackles and joined the mainstream, while keeping their identity intact.
Shilpa wanted to become a doctor but was not allowed to study after Class 8 by her family.
However, they did not deter her from doing something in life and she decided to give politics a try. The family was hesitant and asked her to drop the surname, and her identity, but she refused.
Shilpa, a corporator in Gwalior, belongs to the Bediya tribe, which people believe is involved in prostitution.
“In my native village Badnapura and Reshampura, allegedly a red light area, people celebrate the birth of a girl child. But when I was born, my mother was not happy as she was scared for my future,” Shilpa said.
“For several years, I did not understand why we were afraid of our own identity,” she said, adding that her challenge magnified when she won the 2015 corporation election on a BJP ticket.
Her own community challenged her but she received support from the younger generation that she says drew inspiration from her.
During an interview for the post of sub-inspector, Morena’s Madhu Chhari was asked: “Since when did girls from your community start working hard to earn a livelihood?”
The question shocked Madhu but strengthened her resolve to live a life of dignity.
“My father wanted to give me a good life and hence admitted me to an ashram run especially for children of nomadic tribes. I completed my education and I got selected for the post of sub-ingoing spector in my first attempt,” said Madhu.
“The interviewer’s question really shocked me. My family and friends asked me to drop my surname. But I use my last name with respect and want to tell people that it’s okay if you don’t trust us, I will generate trust in you,” she added.
One of Jitendra’s earliest memories was of police banging the door of his house in the dead of the night and then abusing and threatening the members of his family.
But for a child born into the Kanjar tribe, which was branded criminal by the British and is still looked upon with suspicion by the police, this was nothing new.
The 31-year-old, however, did not allow the stigma attached to his community to come in the way of his success. Jitendra went to college in Pune and now holds a PhD in management — an enviable feat considering he is only the second person with a doctorate degree in his tribe of over 2.5 lakh people.
“Here in Pune, my peers know I am a Kanjar. But when someone new comes to know of my background, they become a little uneasy. I just take it in my stride,” Jitendra said.
“You cannot change your past so accept it and be proud of it. But change what you can — your future,” he added.